Champions Monterrey finally bag first win
Reuters - Sunday 23 January 2011, 02:19
MEXICO CITY - Title holders Monterrey
ended their poor start to the Mexican Clausura championship
with a 1-0 win over Atlante on Saturday while favourites Cruz
Azul shared the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Pumas
UNAM.
Atlas, who finished bottom of the standings in the Apertura
championship won by Monterrey in December, continued their fine
start with a third victory, 1-0 away to promoted Necaxa on
Friday.
Shaven-headed Chile striker Humberto "Lollipop" Suazo
scored after two minutes to hand Monterrey their first points
after two defeats with Mario Ortiz missing a 53rd-minute
penalty and the chance to salvage a draw for Atlante.
Cruz Azul, favourites to win the Apertura championship in
December before their shock quarter-final elimination by Pumas,
took a 2-0 half-time lead at their Azul ground in the capital.
Argentine striker Emanuel Villa opened the scoring and
right-back Horacio Cervantes made it two with a shot from
outside the box which took a deflection on defender Marco
Antonio Palacios.
Pumas hit back with three goals in 20 minutes, two from
forward Juan Cacho either side of veteran Paraguayan defender
Dario Veron's headed equaliser from Brazilian-born Mexican
Leandro Augusto's cross.
Chilean midfielder Hugo Droguett salvaged a point for Cruz
Azul, whose tally is four from three matches, when he pulled
them level eight minutes from time with a left-footed shot
after a one-two with substitute Cesar Villaluz.